Christmas bonus for 2.5million French households

Some 2.5million modest-income households are set to receive a bonus in time for Christmas.

Those who receive revenu de solidarité active (RSA), allocation de solidarité spécifique (ASS) or allocation équivalent retraite (AER) will be entitled to the end-of-year bonus that was first introduced by Lionel Jospin's government in 1998

Those on ASS or AER benefits will receive up to €152.34, while those in receipt of RSA will get money based on the number of dependents:

• €152 for a single person
• €228 for a couple
• €320 for a couple with two children
• €381 for a couple with three children

Payments will be made automatically to those eligible to receive them on December 15 and 16.

The Christmas payment is on top of the November bonus paid to beneficiaries of RSA, ASS, or APL.